Newsletter 15/07/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
Ukraine marks Statehood Day
On July 15, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, which coincides with the Day of the Christianization of Kyivan Rus-Ukraine.
In 2022 and 2023, the Day of Ukrainian Statehood was celebrated on July 28. However, starting in 2024, it is observed on July 15, following the transition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church from the Julian to the Revised Julian calendar. Specifically, on July 14, 2023, the Verkhovna Rada voted to move the holiday from July 28 to July 15 due to its connection with the religious calendar and the calendar reform.
The Day of Ukrainian Statehood has its own symbol — four tridents — representing struggle, independence, history, and identity. The trident was the symbol of Prince Volodymyr the Great, during whose reign the Christianization of Kyivan Rus took place. This commemorative day serves as a reminder that Ukrainian statehood has a tradition spanning over a thousand years, with its origins in Kyivan Rus, a medieval state centered in Kyiv.
In peacetime, the Day of Ukrainian Statehood will be a public holiday. However, due to martial law and the ongoing full-scale Russian invasion, all additional public holidays have been officially suspended.
TOP
Ukraine withdraws from Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention as Parliament passes law
The Verkhovna Rada has passed a law temporarily suspending Ukraine's participation in the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their destruction.
The document was adopted in view of the need to strengthen the country's defense capabilities in the context of full-scale armed aggression by the Russian Federation, which has been ongoing since 2022.
Shmyhal resigns as Ukraine's PM
Denys Shmyhal has submitted his resignation to the Verkhovna Rada from his post as Ukraine's prime minister.
In his message, Shmyhal expressed gratitude to Ukraine's defenders who hold the front lines and protect the country.
He also thanked President Volodymyr Zelensky for his trust and praised his entire team for their "tireless work for the sake of our nation."
On July 14, Zelensky proposed that First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko head the Cabinet of Ministers.
He also stated that Shmyhal's experience would be useful at the post of defense minister within the newly reshuffled government.
Ukrainian parliament extends martial law, mobilization for another three months
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has passed legislation approving the president's decree to extend martial law and general mobilization in the country for another 90 days, until November 5.
Verkhovna Rada ratifies agreement to establish special tribunal
The Verkhovna Rada adopted a law ratifying the Agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe on the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
The law ratifies the Agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe on the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, which was signed on June 25, 2025, in Strasbourg, France.
As noted in the explanatory note, ratification of the agreement will allow for the launch of a legal mechanism for forming the institutional basis of the Special Tribunal, in particular determining its location, developing internal regulations, and involving other states in the Extended Partial Agreement, which forms the basis for the further functioning of the Special Tribunal.
Zelensky signs bills on multiple citizenship, ratification of agreement on Special Tribunal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed into law the bills on multiple citizenship, the ratification of the agreement on establishing the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, and the suspension of Ukraine's participation in the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines.
Ukrainian hackers paralyze operations of major Russian drone manufacturer
Hackers from the BO Team and the Ukrainian Cyber Alliance, supported by Ukraine's military intelligence specialists, successfully carried out a cyberattack on the network and server infrastructure of Gaskar Integration, one of Russia's largest drone suppliers for the military.
The Ukrainian cyber operatives reportedly gained access to over 47 terabytes of technical data related to Russian drone manufacturing. Among the materials were documents confirming close cooperation between the Russian drone maker and China. All data stored on the company's servers was destroyed, including ten terabytes of backup files.
As a result of the cyberattack, the company has lost access to the internet, critical production and accounting software, and its R&D center has been completely paralyzed. Additionally, all doors at the drone manufacturing plant were locked, forcing employees to use emergency exits.
The stolen data includes confidential employee records and, most importantly, comprehensive technical documentation on drone production, which has been handed over to relevant experts within Ukraine's Defense Forces.
White House confirms Trump and Zelensky discussed possible strikes on Moscow
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed that US President Donald Trump, during a conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky, asked him about Ukraine's potential ability to strike Moscow and St. Petersburg.
“President Trump was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing. He's working tirelessly to stop the killing and end this war,” Leavitt said.
She was commenting on earlier reports in the Financial Times and The Washington Post, citing anonymous sources, that Trump had encouraged Zelensky to strike deep inside Russia to increase pressure on Putin.
According to the FT, Trump allegedly wanted to “make them feel the pain” and force Russia into peace talks. Zelensky, according to the WP, said that Ukraine could strike cities if the US provided weapons.
The White House confirmed the conversation but denied that President Trump encouraged new strikes.
“The Financial Times is notorious for taking words wildly out of context to get clicks because their paper is dying,” Leavitt said in this regard.
War
Russia building protective structures at airbases following Operation Spiderweb – ISW
Ukraine-based open-source intelligence organization Frontelligence Insight reported that satellite imagery collected on July 7 shows that Russian forces have constructed roughly 10 reinforced bunkers with soil coverings, 12 concrete bunker-type structures without soil coverings, and eight hangar-style buildings on the aprons at Khalino Air Base in the Kursk region. Planet Labs satellite imagery collected on June 27 of Khalino Air Base also shows reinforced hangars.
Additionally, Frontelligence reported that satellite imagery collected on July 9 shows that Russian forces have constructed two concrete bunker-style structures at Saky Air Base in occupied Crimea, and Planet Labs satellite imagery collected on July 7 also shows concrete aircraft shelters.
On June 1, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted a unique special operation that simultaneously struck four military airfields deep within Russia: Olenya, Ivanovo, Dyagilevo, and Belaya. These bases housed Russian strategic bombers regularly involved in missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
War update: 110 battles on front lines today, enemy attempted advance near Antonivskyi Bridge
AFU shoots down 178 of 267 drones used by Russia in evening attack on Ukraine
Russian forces shell Sumy region 85 times in past 24 hours, 13 injured
Russians drop explosives on border village in Chernihiv region, one wounded
Defense
Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden ready to buy Patriot missiles from US for Ukraine
On Tuesday, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden announced their willingness to participate in U.S. President Donald Trump's plan for Europe to buy American weapons for Ukraine.
Trump may allow Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles at their full range – WP
U.S. President Donald Trump considered transferring Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine to increase pressure on Russia.
New military aid, joint drone production: Shmyhal meets with Latvian PM in Kyiv
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal held a meeting in Kyiv with his Latvian counterpart Evika Silina, during which they discussed a new package of defense assistance, deeper bilateral cooperation, and sanctions against Russia.
Khyzhak combat module approved for use in Ukraine's Armed Forces
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has codified and approved the use of the new domestically produced remotely operated combat module "Khyzhak" for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Supporting Ukraine with weapons: Zelensky meets with Latvian PM
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Latvian Prime Minister discussed military support for Ukraine, as well as the search for additional sources of funding through European instruments such as SAFE.
Politics
Zelensky signs law increasing Russia’s accountability for child deportations
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law amending the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which increases Russia's responsibility for the abduction of Ukrainian children.
China says sanctions on Russia will not stop war in Ukraine
China believes that the United States' tightening of anti-Russian sanctions does not contribute to the resolution of the “Ukrainian conflict,” which can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiations.
Trump begins using economic leverage, military support for Ukraine to pressure Moscow – ISW
U.S. President Donald Trump believes that Russian leader Vladimir Putin can be brought to the negotiating table only through a combination of economic instruments and Western military support to allow Ukraine to increase pressure on Russia on the battlefield.
Society
European Commission approves ‘roaming visa-free regime’ for Ukraine
The European Commission has approved Ukraine’s inclusion in the EU’s ‘Roam like at Home’ policy, allowing Ukrainians to use mobile services across the EU without incurring additional charges.
Crime
Two Russian agents detained for plotting to bomb judges and volunteers in Poltava and Dnipro
The Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police detained two agents of Russian military intelligence (better known as the GRU) who were preparing to blow up judges and volunteers in Poltava and Dnipro.
The investigation established that the order from the Russian special services was carried out by two residents of Poltava who already had criminal records for drug trafficking and theft.
The repeat offenders came to the attention of the Russian Federation through Telegram channels, where they were looking for easy money after their release from prison.
The suspects were given an agent task to physically eliminate representatives of judicial panels and well-known volunteers using homemade explosive devices.
To prepare for the attacks, the agents split up: one remained in Poltava, where she began spying on the places of work and residence of potential targets, while the other left for Dnipro with the same goal.
In Dnipro, the agent received the coordinates of the explosive device hidden in the trunk of a scooter from her supervisor.
The suspect then parked the booby-trapped vehicle near the judge's car, which the Russians planned to blow up using remote activation of the explosives.
To track the official's arrival at the site of the planned terrorist attack, the agent installed a remote-access camera opposite the location for the Russian GRU.
It was at this moment that she was detained by SSU officers.
At the same time, her accomplice was detained at her place of residence in Poltava.
It has been established that before carrying out their main tasks, the suspects carried out a test run – they set fire to a Ukrainian soldier's car.
Three Cheers for the BO Team ! Great job will done.